His Royal Highness Charles, Prince of Wales, pays visit to the Romanian Patriarchate

Aurelian Iftimiu – Basilica News Agency – 2/4/17

His Beatitude Daniel, Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church, received Thursday, 30 March 2017, at the Palace of the Patriarchate, His Royal Highness Charles, Prince of Wales, who is currently paying a visit to Romania.

His Beatitude expressed his joy over Prince Charles having included the Romanian Patriarchate in his official visit to Romania, underscoring the special interest displayed by His Royal Highness in Romania’s spiritual, cultural and natural beauties, thus becoming a friend of the country and the Romanian nation.

The Romanian Patriarch mentioned that many Romanian Christian Orthodox believers live in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland as students or workers in various fields of employment in the British society. There are currently more than 45 Romanian Orthodox parishes there shepherded by an assistant bishop and 42 clergymen. The parishes are enjoying support from the Church of England, including by being offered places of worship.

Given that Prince Charles mentioned his visits to humanitarian organisations operating in Romania in which British charities are also involved, the Patriarch of Romania introduced to the Prince some of the Patriarchate’s social programmes, including “Choose School!” – a programme to support children facing the risk of dropping out of school; “Give Blood! Save a Life!” and “Health for the Countryside,” in support of the elderly and the poor in Romania’s countryside.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales stressed the importance of the cultural heritage of Romania and appreciated Romania’s openness to conserve it. Given this context, the two prelates discussed the possibility of cooperation between the Romanian Patriarchate, the Prince of Wales Foundation, and Pro Patrimonio Foundation in order to preserve and to highlight the Romanian cultural and religious heritage.

The Patriarch joyfully welcomed this proposal, given that the Romanian Orthodox Church is constantly concerned about preserving the national church heritage.

At the end of the visit, His Beatitude Patriarch Daniel presented His Royal Highness with a Murano glass mosaic portraying Saint Andrew, Protector of Romania. He then thanked the Prince for his visit and conveyed wishes of good health and blessing to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain.

Press Office of the Romanian Patriarchate.

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